Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha chaired a high-level review meeting on the proposed water supply project for Agartala based on water from the Gomati River and emphasized the need for a long-term and sustainable water resource management plan for the entire state.
The meeting was held on Wednesday at the TIFT War Room on S.P. Mukherjee Lane in Agartala, where the Chief Minister underscored the importance of adopting a mission-mode approach to ensure future water security, not only for Agartala but for all regions of Tripura.
At the outset, Secretary Kiran Gitte delivered a detailed presentation highlighting the current and future drinking water requirements of Agartala, limitations of the existing water supply system, and various aspects of the proposed long-term water supply project centered on the Gomati River.
According to the presentation, a significant portion of Agartala’s current water supply depends on groundwater sources. With rapid population growth, increasing urbanization, and recurring water shortages during the dry season, the need for a sustainable surface water-based supply system has become increasingly important. Gitte also presented a proposed framework for drawing water from the Maharani Barrage area in Udaipur under Gomati district, along with plans for pipeline networks, reservoirs, and water treatment infrastructure.
The Chief Minister reviewed the proposal in detail and stated that planning should not be limited to Agartala’s present requirements alone. He stressed the need to formulate comprehensive strategies to meet the future drinking water demands of the entire state through effective water resource management.
“We must work in mission mode and move forward with a far-sighted vision,” Dr Saha said. He also emphasized the importance of reducing water wastage and finding effective ways to utilize water resources that are currently being lost or underutilized. Additionally, he highlighted the need for rainwater harvesting and conservation during the monsoon season to ensure adequate availability during periods of scarcity.
The Chief Minister remarked that perseverance and dedicated efforts can make even seemingly impossible goals achievable. He also noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several ambitious initiatives once considered difficult have been successfully implemented through efficiency and long-term vision.
The meeting also discussed the possibility of establishing a permanent Gomati River-based water supply system to meet future drinking water demands. Deliberations were held on excavating separate raw water reservoirs to store water during the dry season, a measure expected to further strengthen uninterrupted drinking water supply in the years ahead.
Among those present at the meeting were Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly Rampada Jamatia, Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder, MLA Abhishek Debroy, Drinking Water and Sanitation Department Secretary Abhishek Singh, PWD Secretary PK Goyal, Chief Minister’s OSD Parmananda Sarkar Banerjee, the CEO of Agartala Smart City Mission, and senior officials from various departments.